NEW YORK - Season South Africa, a dazzling array of acclaimed contemporary visual and performing artists and a series of theater productions from that nation, will appear at the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine from September 23 to December 6, to celebrate South Africa's first decade of independence. Admission is free.
The visual arts exhibition, "Personal Affects: Power and Poetics in Contemporary South African Art," presents newly commissioned and recently produced works by 17 South African artists. The artworks represent artists' responses to a weeklong stay in New York and visits with the international team of curators that selected the work.
The lyric theater company Dimpho Di Kopane (meaning "combined talents" in Sotho) will present four productions over a five-week period. Since its founding in 2001, the forty-member South African company based in Cape Town has achieved wide international critical acclaim playing to sold out houses on four continents.
The multilingual productions are Yiimimangaliso (The Mysteries), Ibali looTsotsi (The Beggar's Opera), IKumkanikazi yeKhephu (The Snow Queen, a world premiere), and Bizet's Carmen. Dimpho Di Kopane performances will take place in Synod Hall on the Cathedral Close from October 25 to November 28, and will include a series of gala performances on November 11, 12 and 13. Tickets may be purchased at the Cathedral Box Office 212.662.2133 or CityTix 212.581.1212.
SAN FRANCISCO, California - "Out of the Dust," the 9/11 exhibit on tour from St. Paul's Chapel, New York, will be on display at Grace Cathedral, San Francisco, through October 31.
The exhibit includes compelling photos, banners, artifacts, letters, and an unforgettable timeline that recounts the stories of 9/11 from three perspectives: the world, New York, and St. Paul's Chapel.
Grace Cathedral, 1100 California Street, San Francisco, California 94108, 415.749.6300, or visit the award-winning Web site at: www.gracecathedral.org.
Coming up Friday, September 24, 2004...
BANGOR, Pennsylvania - Kirkridge Retreat and Study Center will host Charlie Cook for a retreat titled, "Hiking as a Path to Wholeness," Sept. 24-26. The retreat, which is open to both experienced hikers and novices, will take participants on the Appalachian Trail to focus on the splendor of the outdoors, seeing hiking as a spiritually transformative practice that enriches the soul.
Charlie Cook is the author of "Awakening to Nature: Renewing Your Life by Connecting with the Natural World" and is director of Wild Earth Adventures, which offers hikes throughout the Northeast.
For further information call 610.588.1793 or visit www.kirkridge.org
Coming up Saturday, September 25, 2004...
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Washington National Cathedral invites the public to learn more about the Cathedral and its artisans in a series of tours 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 25. The festivities include local bluegrass bands, Red Shipley of WAMU 88.5 FM's "Stained Glass Bluegrass," Central Tower climbs, food, and children's activities. Entrance is free.
WASHINGTON, Western Louisiana - A brunch to benefit the Washington Garden Club's effort to restore the historic St. John's Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Western Louisiana will run from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Sept. 25, at the Steamboat Warehouse Restaurant and will feature entertainment by Cajun fiddle great Hadley Castille.
The "Brunch of the Bayou" is limited to 100 participants and costs $25. To purchase tickets or for more information call the Steamboat at 337.826.7227 or the garden club at 337.826.7362 or 337.826.5049.
WINCHESTER, Kentucky - A Celebration of Native American Spirituality will be held at Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Winchester, Kentucky, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 25. The celebration, which will include drumming, dancing, and singing, led by the White Oak Singers of Ohio, will take a look at Native American Spirituality and the Episcopal Church: Parallels practices and beliefs John Johnson Enmegahbowh, (the first ordained Native American Episcopal priest) David Pendleton Oakerhater (Episcopal deacon and missionary to the Cheyenne--feast day September 1).
For more information, contact Jonel Sallee, Chair of the Prayer and Spirituality Commission: Jcsallee@aol.com or 859.278.8775.
Coming up Sunday, September 26, 2004...
SPOKANE, Washington - The Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Spokane, will welcome the House of Bishops of the Episcopal Church to Eucharist at 10:00 a.m. Presiding Bishop Frank T. Griswold, will be the celebrant and preacher. The Church Service League will host a grand reception following the service.
WASHINGTON, D.C. - State Day prayers this Sunday will remember Virginia in liturgies at Washington National Cathedral, Massachusetts and Wisconsin Avenues Northwest (Mount St. Alban), Washington, D.C., 20016; 202.537.6200; www.cathedral.org. Preacher will be the Rt. Rev. A. Theodore Eastman, retired bishop of Maryland. Next Sunday, October 3: State Day prayers will remember New York.
A special service to celebrate the life and ministry of Bishop John Thomas Walker will take place at 4 p.m. at Washington National Cathedral. The service will be followed by a reception, and will also celebrate the publication of his biography. David Beers, guest homilist.
LAST CHANCE: The exhibit "Faith & Courage: U.S. Chaplains' Service in World War II," runs through September 26, (Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Sunday 1-4 p.m.) Rare Book Library Exhibit Room.
Following the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, this Sunday (17 Pentecost) will give thanks for the Most Rev. Joseph Biringi Hassan Marona, Archbishop of the Episcopal Church of the Sudan & Bishop of Juba. The Anglican Cycle of Prayer can be accessed online at: www.anglicancommunion.org/acp/main.cfm.
